Remainingin His LoveJohn 15:9-17

God loves us: As the Father has loved .. So have I loved:

Loved = agapao – agape: unselfish, sacrificial & unconditional (vs. 13)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

This love is not dependent on our actionsGod demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Remain in His love We are called to make our home in His love

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

Rooted = to become firmly settled Established = founded or grounded Surpasses knowledge = exceeds our

understanding, doesn’t make sense to the logical mind

How do we remain in His love? Obeying His commands

Obedience allows us to walk with GodIf we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another… 1 John 1:7

If we are with Him, we remain in His loveGod is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

Obedience is for our benefit Our joy only finds fulfillment through

obedience It elevates us from servant to friend (vs. 14)• Obedience is a choice & it shows our love

When God calls us friends: He shares with us His plans (vs. 15)

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Reconciling the world to Himself Giving people a brand new start Giving us the ministry of reconciliation Calling us into being His ambassadors

He chooses us to be on His team (vs. 16) He desires us to join in His mission

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

How do we join in this mission? Loving each other

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.“ John 13:34-35Remaining in His Love means…

We are secure in the fact God Loves us & it is not based on our actions

We choose to obey Him because we want ot express our love to Him

His love permeates us and flows through us to others